Lion Coffee Premium Gold Roast - 10% Kona Coffee Blend Whole Bean (24oz) - Rich & Smooth Flavor for Home Brewing, Office & Gifts

I used to order this from a catalog back in early 90's. I've been looking for it elsewhere as the Lion pure Kona seemed too expensive, but after tasting this blend, I believe it's my long-lost Lion Kona coffee! It's only 10% Kona, but the delicate, nutty, very aromatic flavor is all there.As far as the flavor, I'm no Epicurean, I just know what I like. I like strongly flavored but non-bitter coffee with a little cream and stevia for non-caloric (and non-toxic) sweetner. Opened the bag -- smell was good. Into the cone and hot water in, smelled *heavenly*. Treated it and took first sip - ***amazing!*** It IS the long-remembered flavor that made a special Sunday treat for having made it through the work week. 25 years and it's as good as I remembered. All the other coffees I've tried over the years as "specials" didn't even come close. Pure Kona didn't do it, either.If you've never had this stuff, well, it's milder on the tongue and yet more noticeable in the nose than anything else including New Orleans Blend Community Coffee (w/ chicory) or pressed dark French Roast. It's a dark roast that is still transparent enough in the cup to see the spoon on the bottom until cream is added. No bitterness at all, and that indescribable "middle" of the taste that means Kona -- nothing else can even begin to compare for the flavor.Quick service & great price, too. I remember it was considered extragavent to pay $10 + shipping back in 1992, but I considered it worthwhile. Today's price is actually better, considering inflation (why do we even HAVE inflation?).have a burr grinder and have tried 4 different ground types (from medium and down to right before expresso fine setting), one looked exactly like the ground size from the grounded version bag i got from hawaii that i still have some of but, these coffee beans just do not smell the same nor taste like the 10% kona coffee blend i got from hawaii at all. the beans smell on the over roasted stale side and the coffee is not smooth and tasty like it should be but, instead tastes on the bitter side. When i smell the grinded grounds from this and compare it to the Hawaii bought bag, the smell is noticeably different.. Yet, this coffee still tastes better than most even though it does not taste like it should.decided it is best to order straight from lion website for my next order.UPDATE: just received three bags i ordered straight from lion site and i can now say the bag i got here is definitely not fresh. Beans in Lion site bag is shinnier with a nice strong aroma and my mug of coffee tasted delicious again like it should. Both have the same expiration date so am guessing since A is fulfilling these here, that they are not being warehoused properly and are going stale quickly!! recommend ordering straight from company.love this coffeeLove me some Lion coffee. Put some love in your cup with this coffee! Transports me to Kauai with the aroma! I buy it whole bean, so I can grind as needed. Faithful little Krups grinder, ( had it since college, still works. Now it'll fail...). Depending on how much you drink, 24 oz. lasts us about a month. I keep a bag in the freezer, and open one, so I buy two at a time ( one gold, one regular. Every couple of months I change one to Kauai coffee koloa roast ) Lion is a consistent quality coffee roaster. I can't find any better anywhere and I've looked and tried. Even the crazy expensive purist coffees! Try it, you'll like it! They make flavored ones, too, but they're not for me.Lives up to my memories of living my life in Hawaii for so many years. Great productMy family vacationed in Hawaii in July '16 and went to the grocery store to find some coffee that the locals drink and was so fortunate to choose this one. I chose Lion Coffee because they had the most shelf space in the store. I made some the next morning and loved it immediately! It was just so bold and smooth and everything I wanted it to be. I'm a coffee snob for sure and consider myself hard to impress with coffee but I am blown away by how amazingly good this coffee is. I am fiercely loyal to the brand I drink (Community Coffee) but this has intruded on our relationship. I hate that I have fallen in love with a very expensive coffee that I can only get through the mail but I must have this!. Would be so happy to see this in Texas grocery stores. If you are in pursuit of the perfect cup of coffee, I would encourage you to try this coffee. I have been drinking the Lion Kona Gold Premium 10% Kona Coffee Blend in case it was not totally clear when you find this review.I love (yes love) Lion Coffee. I used to walk into the roasterie/store in downtown Honolulu when I lived on Oahu. Many of the best restaurants served Lion Coffee. Their flavored coffees (especially Macadamia varieties and Hazelnut) and their original (unflavored) and Kona Gold have been consistently excellent.This Gold Roast is no exception! It's simply a fabulous cup of aromatic, bright and bold coffee. There's no burnt flavor, no over-roasted bitterness, just smooth, medium-light roasted arabica beans that make my morning. I've been looking for a substitute for Starbucks Breakfast Blend, that's been discontinued after 20 years. =( This makes a really, really good Americano in my Barista Express. There's crema, there's flavor, there're aroma--just perfect.reminded me of Hawaiiwhy does it have artificial flavours? And, why does it taste like burnt rubber? The worst coffee I have tasted in 40 years. And so expensive. I wish I could return it, but the no-return policy, right? Thanks for the rip-off.The only one better is the gold 100% Kona, but it costs a fortune on amazon. this is my 2nd favorite, not as expensive and still good.note: this is ground, not beansGives me a taste of what I miss.